Exeter based supplier of security staff and services, UK Protection Ltd (UKP), has appointed Richard Smith to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer to spearhead the company’s growth across the South West.

Richard joins UKP from a successful commercial and marketing career, having also previously served for 10 years as a police officer with the Cheshire constabulary. Whilst little known in the South West, UKP has experienced rapid growth since it was established in 2015 with year on year turnover increasing by 53% in year two and 27% in year three. Supporting UKP’s strategic growth plans and working in partnership with sister company Advanced Security Alarm Protection Ltd (ASAP), Richard will lead the development of UKP’s security solutions to luxury high-end retail and corporate clients throughout the South West and wider UK.

Announcing the appointment, UKP Managing Director, Andy Fairbanks, said: “UKP is a one stop specialist that can meet a range of customers’ security requirements. Richard’s commercial acumen and experience will help bring our bespoke services and technologies to the South West. We’re delighted to welcome Richard to UKP at an exciting time of growth for the business.”

Richard added: “UKP is a forward-thinking business and one of the few in the security sector which offers a bespoke solution to customers, ensuring services provided become an extension of the client’s own brand. We are the largest provider of manned security to the luxury jewellery retail sector nationally and I’m looking forward to the challenge of expanding UKP’s growing portfolio across the South West.”